NSI Drama Prize 2008 call for applications

Winnipeg — Emerging Canadian filmmakers are encouraged to apply now for the National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) Drama Prize training program 2008.

Up to five teams will receive training in writing, directing and producing; mentoring from established filmmakers; and the opportunity to produce a quality short film. Teams also receive $10,000 in cash support and over $30,000 in-kind services towards the production of their film – both amounts have been increased this year.

Teams must apply with a short film script that contains four to six minutes of content.

Guidelines and an application form are available at: www.nsi-canada.ca/dramaprize/index.shtml

Applications must be received by Monday, November 5, 2007, 4:30 p.m. Central Time.

“NSI Drama Prize is an extremely prestigious program that has helped to develop some very talented filmmakers. And they’re consistently proving their talent,” said Joy Loewen, Program Manager, NSI Drama Prize.

Current NSI Drama Prize participant, Trevor Anderson recently won The Lindalee Tracey Award at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.

Recent NSI Drama Prize graduate Drew Hagen won the Inspired Script program at the 2007 Atlantic Film Festival. Hagen’s filmmaking partner Eva Madden won the Inspired Script program last year. Their NSI Drama Prize short, Eastern Shore was shown at the festival and awarded ‘Best Score’.

NSI Drama Prize short Les Grands by graduates Christine Falco and Chloe Leriche screened at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival.

NSI Drama Prize short Apparent Woes by Karitsa Tye and Lisa Robertson will screen at the Vancouver International Film Festival along with The Cabinet by Karen Wong and Karen Lam.

Other alumni include Gary Yates (7 Times Lucky, Niagara Motel) who made the Oscar® short-listed film Without Rockets through the program and director Michael Dowse (It’s All Gone Pete Tong) who graduated from the program with his short film, 237. For information about other NSI Drama Prize productions, visit: www.nsi-canada.ca.

NSI Drama Prize 2007/2008 is presented nationally by CBC Television and Telefilm Canada, with additional funding generously provided by Program Partner, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation. We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support of our Provincial Sponsors British Columbia Film and Manitoba Film and Sound, and our Award Sponsors Rogers Telefund, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, Alliance Atlantis, Telefilm Canada and the NSI Alumni Fund. Additional acknowledgement is proudly provided for the contributions of our Service Sponsors Deluxe, Kodak Canada Inc. and PS Production Services Ltd., our Risk Management Consultants Multimedia Risk Inc., as well as William F. White International Inc.

The National Screen Institute - Canada, with headquarters in Winnipeg, is Canada's oldest nationally-recognized film and television training school. The National Screen Institute helps emerging writers, directors and producers bring their stories to life to share at home and abroad. Its market-driven programs have led to employment for National Screen Institute graduates by giving them a competitive edge - according to the latest National Screen Institute Alumni Survey, 97% of respondents are working in the industry.